Horsley Hills is a hill station in the Eastern Ghats in Annamayya district (formerly part of Chittoor district) in Andhra Pradesh. Located about 16 km from Madanapalle and 130 km from Tirupati, it stands at an elevation of around 1,290 meters (4,230 feet) above sea level. The cooler climate offers relief from the heat of the Rayalaseema plains, earning it the nickname “Ooty of Andhra Pradesh.”
The hills are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including eucalyptus, sandalwood, jacaranda, gulmohar, silver oak, and coffee plantations. Birdwatchers visit to spot the endemic Yellow-throated Bulbul, while the surrounding forests are home to sambar deer, wild boar, and sloth bears. The pleasant weather throughout the year also makes Horsley Hills a popular destination for trekking, nature walks, and weekend trips.
Long before the British arrived, the hills were known as Yenugu Mallamma Konda. In Telugu, Yenugu means “elephant,” Mallamma refers to a revered saintly woman, and Konda means “hill.” According to local folklore, Mallamma lived on the hill several centuries ago and was cared for by elephants, giving rise to the name “Hill of Elephant Mallamma.” A temple dedicated to Mallamma near the hills keeps this tradition alive.
The present name dates back to British rule. W. D. Horsley, the British Collector of Cuddapah (now Kadapa), chose the hills as a summer retreat and built a bungalow here around 1870. As the settlement grew into a hill station, it came to be known as Horsley Hills in his honor. The historic bungalow still stands as a reminder of that period.
While the official name honors a British administrator, the original Telugu name, Yenugu Mallamma Konda, reflects the region’s older cultural identity and the legend of Mallamma. Today, Horsley Hills remains one of Andhra Pradesh’s most popular hill stations, known as much for its history as for its pleasant climate and natural surroundings.
